Language Access Partnerships Program Manager

Aurora Health Care; Allenton (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Aurora Health Care seeks an experienced vendor management leader to drive the enterprise program for language services vendors and related contracts.

The role oversees vendor selection, performance monitoring, SLAs, cost optimization through negotiations and volume management, and compliance with credentialing and regulatory standards; you will coordinate with legal, procurement, and controls to deliver measurable value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, supply chain management, healthcare administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred in business administration, supply chain management, or healthcare administration.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or similar credentials preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in vendor management, procurement, or healthcare contract management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise vendor management strategy and program for all language services vendors.
• Oversee vendor selection, qualification, and contracting processes for interpreter agencies and translation vendors.
• Monitor vendor performance against SLAs, quality standards, and contractual requirements.
• Drive cost optimization across vendor relationships through strategic negotiations, volume management, and rate analysis.
• Manage third-party interpreter agency relationships to ensure quality, reliability, and compliance.
• Develop and maintain vendor scorecards, performance dashboards, and regular business review processes.
• Coordinate with Control Tower on vendor utilization, escalation protocols, and coverage gap management.
• Negotiate contracts, amendments, and service level agreements with vendor partners.
• Analyze vendor cost data including cost-per-encounter, utilization ratios, and financial impact.
• Collaborate with legal, procurement, and compliance teams on vendor contracting and risk management.
• Report on vendor performance, cost trends, and program effectiveness to AVP leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement in vendor quality through feedback mechanisms and performance improvement plans.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Cost optimization

Data analysis

Risk management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Leadership reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, healthcare administration, or related field

Master's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or healthcare administration

Certifications: CPSM / CPM or equivalent

Tools

Vendor management software

Job description

Prefer an applicant from one of our enterprise states: GA, IL, NC, WI that meet the specific requirements listed below.

Education

Bachelor's degree required in business, supply chain management, healthcare administration, or related field.

Certification / License

Vendor management, procurement, or contract management certifications preferred.

Work Experience

Typically requires 7+ years of progressive experience in vendor management, procurement, or healthcare contract management.

Major Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise vendor management strategy and program for all language services vendors.
• Oversee vendor selection, qualification, and contracting processes for interpreter agencies and translation vendors.
• Monitor vendor performance against established SLAs, quality standards, and contractual requirements.
• Drive cost optimization across vendor relationships through strategic negotiations, volume management, and rate analysis.
• Manage third-party interpreter agency relationships to ensure quality, reliability, and compliance.
• Develop and maintain vendor scorecards, performance dashboards, and regular business review processes.
• Ensure vendor compliance with organizational standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing policies.
• Coordinate with Control Tower on vendor utilization, escalation protocols, and coverage gap management.
• Manage vendor onboarding, credentialing, and ongoing compliance verification processes.
• Negotiate contracts, amendments, and service level agreements with vendor partners.
• Analyze vendor cost data including cost-per-encounter, utilization ratios, and financial impact.
• Collaborate with legal, procurement, and compliance teams on vendor contracting and risk management.
• Report on vendor performance, cost trends, and program effectiveness to AVP leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement in vendor quality through feedback mechanisms and performance improvement plans.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Expert vendor management skills including selection, contracting, performance monitoring, and relationship management.
• Strong contract negotiation skills with experience managing service level agreements.
• Cost optimization and financial analysis skills including rate analysis and volume management.
• Vendor performance measurement skills with experience building scorecards and dashboards.
• Knowledge of healthcare vendor compliance requirements including credentialing and regulatory standards.
• Strong stakeholder management skills for coordinating across operations, legal, and procurement teams.
• Data analysis skills for vendor cost analysis, utilization reporting, and ROI assessment.
• Risk management skills for vendor compliance, contract compliance, and business continuity.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills for vendor interactions and leadership reporting.
• Project management skills for managing vendor onboarding, transitions, and program improvements.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

Master's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or healthcare administration.

Certification / License

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), or similar credentials.

Experience

7+ years of vendor management experience in healthcare with enterprise-scale program management.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Experience managing language services vendor programs for large healthcare organizations.
• Experience with vendor risk management and business continuity planning.
• Knowledge of language services industry including interpreter agency operations and market dynamics.
• Experience with strategic sourcing and vendor portfolio optimization.
• Experience driving vendor quality improvement through structured performance management programs.

Strategic Impact & Value Creation

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive vendor management innovation including strategic sourcing, platform optimization, and market intelligence.
• Evaluate emerging vendor capabilities and technologies that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Lead vendor partnership initiatives that advance language services capabilities and competitive positioning.

Revenue Impact & Financial Stewardship

• Own vendor cost management with accountability for contract negotiations, cost optimization, and financial performance.
• Develop strategic vendor sourcing approaches that balance cost, quality, and coverage across the enterprise.
• Analyze vendor economics and recommend portfolio optimization strategies that improve financial outcomes.

Operational Excellence & Efficiency

• Establish vendor management standards and performance monitoring that ensure quality, reliability, and compliance.
• Manage vendor performance against SLAs and drive continuous improvement through structured management programs.
• Coordinate vendor escalation and coverage gap management in partnership with control tower operations.

Patient Experience & Language Access

• Ensure vendor quality standards support consistent, high-quality interpretation services that meet patient and clinician needs.
• Monitor vendor performance on language diversity and access to support equitable interpretation across all languages.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Work requires use of telephone/computer and sitting for prolonged periods of time. Walking, standing, lifting, bending, reaching, stooping, pushing, and pulling are required a moderate amount of the time. May lift and carry up to 40 pounds on an intermittent basis. Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with individuals and groups effectively. Must possess critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to concentrate. Must be able to work with high volume of activities/projects with short deadlines. Work is hybrid and requires the flexibility of working from home office as well as other Advocate Health work locations as required by services provided.

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.